الفهرس | Only 14 pages are availabe for public view |
Abstract Background: Studying the effect of adding deep cervical flexors training tostretching exercises for neck muscles and isometric strengthening exercises for neck muscles and scapulothoracic muscles versus stretching exercises for neck muscles and isometric strengthening exercises for neck muscles and scapulothoracic muscles only on pain, neck functional disability, deep cervical flexors strength, and cross sectional area of longus colli muscle in patients with cervical radiculopathy. Methods: Thirty male patients with cervical radiculopathy were participated in this study, their age ranged from 30 to 45 years. Patients were randomly assigned into two equal groups using the roll of dice, a group A (odd number) and a group B (even number). group (A) consisted of 15 patients were received stretching exercises for neck muscles and isometric strengthening exercises for neck muscles and scapulothoracic muscles. group (B) consisted of 15 patients were received the same of group (A) in addition to deep cervical flexors training. Patients were assessed just before and after 12 treatment sessions. Data measured include, pain severity by visual analogue scale (VAS), functional disability by neck disability index (NDI), deep cervical flexors strength by craniocervical flexion test (CCF test) and the longus colli muscle cross sectional area by ultrasonography. Results: Comparing both groups post treatment revealed statistically significant decrease in VAS (p = 0.001), significant decrease NDI (p = 0.001), significant increase in deep cervical flexors strength(p = 0.03) and significant increase in longus colli muscle cross sectional area (p = 0.01) in favor of group (B). Conclusion: Adding deep cervical flexors training tostretching exercises for neck muscles and isometric strengthening exercises for neck muscles and scapulothoracic muscles could decrease neck pain level, decrease functional disability level, improve deep cervical flexors strength and increase cross sectional area of longus colli muscle in patients with cervical radiculopathy |